Pot-Friendly States Teaming Up On Capitol Hill

WASHINGTON (AP) — Members of Congress from states with legal pot say their colleagues should not stand in the way of expanded legalization.

Democratic Rep. Earl Blumenauer of Oregon says ending marijuana prohibition was the “one clear winner” in the midterm elections. Voters in Alaska, Oregon and the District of Columbia approved ballot initiatives to legalize marijuana possession. Those states would join Colorado and Washington state, which already have legal pot.

Drug-reform advocates are planning to push legalization initiatives in California and other states in 2016. Republican Rep. Dana Rohrabacher of California says he expects voters in his state would approve an initiative.

Rohrabacher says Republicans who oppose reform of marijuana laws should “wake up and see where the American people are.” Polls show a majority of Americans favor legalization.